Coffee brewing devices ancient and modern

[kalidarkone]

That’s why I’ve never bought an Aeropress. It’s expensive plastic. Plus I am happy with my moka pots. They make me good quality espresso-strength coffees.

I’d love a bean-to-cup like the host at my dog sit here in Rye has, but I don’t have the counter space or the income for it.

But the aeropress makes the best coffee ime.

 

[danny la rouge]

But the aeropress makes the best coffee ime.

Better than a moka pot? That’s impressive.

But they use filters, don’t they? I gave up coffee filters a long, long time ago.

 

[pbsmooth]

the only time I used an aeropress I thought I was going to break the cup. feels like a weird way to make coffee to me, but that's just me. happy with a french press or moka.

 

[danny la rouge]

the only time I used an aeropress I thought I was going to break the cup. feels like a weird way to make coffee to me, but that's just me. happy with a french press or moka.

Aye, that’s another thing for me. I’ve seen video demonstrations and they’re always using a bigger cup and making weaker coffee than I like. I use an espresso cup and drink espresso strength. It also looks a faff.

But I know lots of people swear by it.

 

[kalidarkone]

Better than a moka pot? That’s impressive.

But they use filters, don’t they? I gave up coffee filters a long, long time ago.

I use a metal non disposable filter, which improves the quality of the taste.

 

[kalidarkone]

Aye, that’s another thing for me. I’ve seen video demonstrations and they’re always using a bigger cup and making weaker coffee than I like. I use an espresso cup and drink espresso strength. It also looks a faff.

But I know lots of people swear by it.

It's no more of a faff then using a mocha pot.

 

[maomao]

Considerably less faff then a moka pot. Moka pots are fun. If you didn't have to clean them I'd use them more often. I don't clean my aeropress other than a quick rinse of the plunger.

 

[gentlegreen]

I've had mine for over 10 years - Feb 19, 2011 - dropped it several years back and cracked it, but successfully superglued it.
Replaced the rubber plunger once.
They seem to have gone up a bit - the Porlex hand grinder though has doubled in price

 

[danny la rouge]

Moka pots are fun. If you didn't have to clean them I'd use them more often.

Clean them? I just rinse the coffee cage under the tap.

 

[brogdale]

Stovetop doesn't have the advantages of using a filter, is awkward to clean (certainly compared to an aeropress) and has a reputation for scalding the coffee grounds making a slightly more bitter brew. The upside-down aeropress method is really not difficult or messy and allows a bit more time and control. When I make a right-way-up aeropress it feels more of a faff tbh.

Long-time lurker Mrs B has suggested that I respond to say that, here at Brogdale acres, our coffees from the stove-top moka-pot have been improved (far less chance of scalding on the gas cooker) since getting an induction plate that moderates and spreads the heat evenly. She regards this as a top -tip for those concerned about moka-pot scalding.

She's also quite evangelical about the little pronged dibbler thing that hides the induction plate handle in this pic...

 

[brogdale]

Oh, and she also says that our coffee lives changed immeasurably for the better when we got a burr grinder for our beans that are always purchased from the Algerian Coffee Shop.

 

[maomao]

pronged dibbler thing

???

 

[brogdale]

Oh, OK she says it's actually called a DWT tool

 

[Idaho]

I really don't like mokka pots. The coffee comes out overheated and tastes burnt/bitter.

 

[gentlegreen]

I really don't like mokka pots. The coffee comes out overheated and tastes burnt/bitter.

That's what happened to me when I got nostalgic and tried one years after the first coffee I ever tried which was done in one...
By that time I was using cafetières ..

 

[brogdale]

I really don't like mokka pots. The coffee comes out overheated and tastes burnt/bitter.

The induction plate really does allow a more controlled heating and, if done carefully, can produce an almost silent, calm flow of coffee up into the pot. I don't have shares/interest in the production of these plates, but honestly, they do make a real difference/improvement in the quality of coffee produced by the Moka-pot. Our morning espressos do not taste burnt or bitter; that would be a real tragedy given the quality of the beans we're using from the Algerian.

 

[danny la rouge]

Long-time lurker Mrs B has suggested that I respond to say that, here at Brogdale acres, our coffees from the stove-top moka-pot have been improved (far less chance of scalding on the gas cooker) since getting an induction plate that moderates and spreads the heat evenly. She regards this as a top -tip for those concerned about moka-pot scalding.

She's also quite evangelical about the little pronged dibbler thing that hides the induction plate handle in this pic...

View attachment 444009

Interesting. The DWT helps with moka pots? I had imagined it was to help distribution and stop channeling with hard tamped espresso machine coffee, not loose tamped moka coffee.

 

[Chilli.s]

moka pot

Everyone knows these make a better cup and quicker. No plastic, last forever, take up little kitchen space

 

[danny la rouge]

Also, get Mrs B to sign up with her own account. Her contributions are interesting.

 

[brogdale]

Interesting. The DWT helps with moka pots? I had imagined it was to help distribution and stop channeling with hard tamped espresso machine coffee, not loose tamped moka coffee.

Speaking for Mrs B (aka the coffee meister )...she says definitely, yes. The WDT (sorry wrong earlier) helps an even load of grounds in the holder bit that encourages a freer, smoother flow up to the pot. Apparently the WDT things can be yours for as little as £2 ish...so worth a go? Mrs B has the 10 pronged version.

 

[brogdale]

To offer a little context, we did have a Gaggia classic for about 15 years before it packed up in lockdown, but now love the simplicity, size and general lack of faff associated with our Bialetti mock-pot, especially as we only ever make espresso, not the frothy milk things.

 

[brogdale]

Also, get Mrs B to sign up with her own account. Her contributions are interesting.

I've tried, but she's a bit of an extreme lurker/refusnick when it comes to SM. Somewhat annoyingly she 'knows' you all and frequently tells me what that Danny has been up to in Suburban!

Maybe one day I'll persuade her?

e2a; obvs she is already signed up etc.

 

[story]

So your gas hobs don't have a very little gas burner? I have one that's small enough for my Moka pot to sit neatly on top. I let the gas burn at the lowest flame and remove it the instant the gurgle starts. Never scalds the coffee.


If you've not got the littlest burner you can use a camping Gaz stove like the Greeks do.

 

[story]

Speaking for Mrs B (aka the coffee meister )...she says definitely, yes. The WDT (sorry wrong earlier) helps an even load of grounds in the holder bit that encourages a freer, smoother flow up to the pot. Apparently the WDT things can be yours for as little as £2 ish...so worth a go? Mrs B has the 10 pronged version.

I've wondered if it was worth getting yet another bit of kit.

Tell her thanks for the tip.

Also tell her that so long as you're willing to post her contributions on her behalf, do not start posting on here herself. Hotel California an' that.

 

[story]

To offer a little context, we did have a Gaggia classic for about 15 years before it packed up in lockdown, but now love the simplicity, size and general lack of faff associated with our Bialetti mock-pot, especially as we only ever make espresso, not the frothy milk things.

I got a lovely little De Longhi coffee machine. Now that I've also got a beautiful steel Bialetti Moka pot I only use the machine to justify my continuing ownership of it.

 

[brogdale]

I've wondered if it was worth getting yet another bit of kit.

Tell her thanks for the tip.

Also tell her that so long as you're willing to post her contributions on her behalf, do not start posting on here herself. Hotel California an' that.

It was this bit that got me...

Her contributions are interesting.

 

[story]

I've tried, but she's a bit of an extreme lurker/refusnick when it comes to SM. Somewhat annoyingly she 'knows' you all and frequently tells me what that Danny has been up to in Suburban!

Maybe one day I'll persuade her?

e2a; obvs she is already signed up etcoh

I've tried, but she's a bit of an extreme lurker/refusnick when it comes to SM. Somewhat annoyingly she 'knows' you all and frequently tells me what that Danny has been up to in Suburban!

Maybe one day I'll persuade her?

e2a; obvs she is already signed up etc.

Oh. So she's already registered at the Hotel California.

Too bad missus. My condolences

 

[brogdale]

So your gas hobs don't have a very little gas burner? I have one that's small enough for my Moka pot to sit neatly on top. I let the gas burn at the lowest flame and remove it the instant the gurgle starts. Never scalds the coffee.


If you've not got the littlest burner you can use a camping Gaz stove like the Greeks do.

Yeah, we've got the small gas ring on the cooker, but AFAIK, the idea of the induction plate is that the heat is transferred evenly to the base of the Moka-pot, instead of the outer rim getting the direct heat from the gas flame, even on the smallest burner. If that makes sense?

 

[kalidarkone]

I inherited a krupps coffee perculator from late ma. It makes amazingly smooth deep coffee. I just need to change the plug.

I've also got some fancy coffee machine that MDK1 left here two years ago. I haven't a clue how it works.

 

[kalidarkone]

Oh, and she also says that our coffee lives changed immeasurably for the better when we got a burr grinder for our beans that are always purchased from the Algerian Coffee Shop.

Yes my coffee life also changed when I got an actual burr grinder. The quality, flavour and depth went right up.